Sheriff  Ed McMahon

Sheriff Edward J. McMahon is a twenty year veteran of the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office.  Most commonly called “Ed”, he is known throughout the Sheriff’s Office as a disciplined career officer who has served in the Patrol Division, Support Services Division and the Detective Division.  He progressed through the ranks and was promoted to Chief Deputy in 2007, and appointed Sheriff in 2009.  He was elected Sheriff in November, 2010.

Sheriff McMahon began his law enforcement career in 1988 with the Vermont State Police, where he rose to the rank of Senior Trooper.  He began his career with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office in 1991 as a Deputy assigned to the Patrol Division.  While in the Patrol Division he worked with the Warrant Squad, as a School Resource Officer, a Hostage/Crisis Negotiator with the Emergency Response Team, and as a supervisor with the S.A.F.E. Traffic Unit.  In 2000, he assumed the duties of Assistant Division Commander of the Detective Division.  In 2003, he was promoted to the rank of Captain and assigned to the Support Services Division.  In 1998, he was named the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office “Officer of the Year”.  Since becoming Sheriff he has become a member of the Training Committee of the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association.

 In 2004, Sheriff McMahon graduated from the F.B.I. National Academy after the completion of a ten (10) week course.   He has a B.S. Degree in Multidisciplinary Studies from Liberty University and has achieved the Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate from the NC Sheriffs’ Education & Training Standards Commission. 

Sheriff  Ed and his wife Teena were married in 1982, here in Wilmington,  and they are the parents of two children, Shaun – married to Sara, and Taryn – married to Josh.  The Sheriff and his wife are active in their church where he has served as a Deacon, Youth Worker, and Sunday School teacher.